Why don't they get it? Girls, I mean. they think they need to cake on 4 inches of make-up to look good. No matter how many times guys tell them otherwise, they always buy into the lie that society feeds them. Why can't they see they're beautiful just the way they are? The way GOD made them, not society's ridiculous expectations. Of course, I can't blame them: so many guys out there just tell them that to...well, let's admit it... to get in their pants. I can't even begin to imagine what they go through, trying to find a guy who's actually genuine towards them.
It literally makes me sick when I hear girls say they're fat or ugly. Why? Not only because they do not realize they're absolutely gorgeous. Not only because they believe society: the same society that promotes, no, encourages drugs, sex, and alcohol. No, it sickens me because they've allowed people to fool them into believing that they're worthless, never good enough. Who made them? Society? Friends? NO. GOD made them, HE did!! And the God I know does not create junk! When girls think they're not pretty enough or skinny enough or athletic enough or busty enough or perfect enough, they say, in essence, that God did not make them good enough!
Now, as Christians, we know that's impossible. If you're not a Christian, listen up. God created the heavens and the earth, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea; He created the mountains, the rivers, the lakes. everything. Every single thing you see around you: every grain of sand, every single star in the sky, every blade of grass. Everything! And you know what He said when He finished? Huh? Do you think He said, "Eh. It's good enough." or "Man, I could've done a better job." or "Well, I'll do better next time" ? No!! God, when He finished, looked around at all He created and said it is good! Since God created us in His image, we look, in some ways, like Him!! God created us as good! He didn't make us anything less than perfect!
I'm so sick of hearing of my friends' heartbreak because of some jerk. It all starts the same, too. The boy's amazing, funny, respectful, mature, the whole package. But, girls, you want me to let you in on a little secret? The majority of the time, the guy's not being himself! He's acting to be all those things so he can get close to you = it's not real! (Of course, there's a few exceptions, I'm talking generally) How do I know this? A few reasons:
1.) I'm a guy.
2.) Been there, done that. Yeah, I used to be a jerk, too. I'd get close to girls by any means necessary, just for the sake of getting close.
3.) That's how we're trained to act. Not using excuses here, but we're told to sleep with as many girls as physically possible, and we're not "men" until we do so.
With that being said, I'm challenging every guy reading this to grow up and get real. If you're even slightly serious about your faith, consider this your first lesson about girls: they're children of God, too! They're not pieces of meat for you to land or another tally mark on the list of girls you've slept with. They. Are. Daughters. Of. God! And you'e not funny when you tell them to go make you a sandwich or to get back in the kitchen. Seriously? It's old and not funny. If you've ever been on a date, a real date, where you pick the girl up at her house and actually see her dad, you know. You know you better be on your best behavior, you better get her back when her dad says to, and you best treat daddy's little girl like a princes, or it's gonna be your head. Just like that big, scary guy in the doorway is her dad, God is too! And if you treat her with respect for her biological father, you better treat her like an angel for her eternal Father.
I'm not trying to single guys out here, but come on! We're supposed to be men of GOD, not punks of society! If you're a Christian, you know when I say we're not of this world. Romans 12:2 tells us: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." How are we supposed to show others we're different if we act the exact same as nonbelievers? We can't!! You see shirts, hats, car decals, and a ton of other stuff that says NOTW. but do you know what that means? It means: Not Of This World. We are resident aliens here! This isn't our home! The reason we long for God is because we belong with God! We cannot act like nonbelievers do-- what kind of message does that send? No. We're called to be different from what society expects us to be. If nonbelievers don't see us as any different than them, they lose interest in the faith we cling to, and we lose credibility.
If you're at all serious about your relationship with Christ, you know what you need to do, how you need to act. Just because your non-Christian friends sleep around DOES NOT give you permission to do so! 1 Corinthians 10:23 says "Everything is permissable, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissable, but not everything builds up." We are supposed to be differnt! We are called to reflect Christ's life, and the last time I checked, being a jerk to girls, treating them like sex objects, and usint them is not how Christ lived!! Do you even know how many girls you've hurt by living like that?! Think about that. Once you've had your fun with her, you leave her and forget her completely. But i guarantee she didn't forget you. I've talked to so many girls who regret giving up their virginity to some guy they thought was "the One". So how about you think about her feelings and the consequences before you get wrapped up in your pleasure?
Girls need a guy who won't hurt them. WE, as Christian men, need to be that guy. If we're supposed to be reflections of Christ, we need to start acting like it. If girls can't turn to a Christian guy for trust, who can turn to? We need to be the exception to the rule! So, I challenge you, Christian men, to treat your girlfriend, girl friends, and every girl you meet like she deserves to be treated, like she was made to be treated. Like a princess! A daughter of God. Stop following and believing what the media tells you to be, and start living like the Bible tells you to be!
And ladies, treat yourselves with the same respect you want your guy to treat you with. Don't date just any guy who likes you. Wait. Wait for the person who's been chosesn for you: you won't regret it. You don't need to do anything sexual with a guy for him to care for you -- at least, not any guy who's worth it. Don't buy into the lie that says you need to look like a supermodel or dress like one. You are beautiful the way you are. You are perfect, for God himself mad you, and saw that you are good! He does not make junk! He loves you the way you are, the way He made you! Don't change for people who ask you to change-- God's love is unwavering, His compassion unchanging. He loves you. He made you. You are His.
Your brother in Christ,
Jonathan Gamble
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mixed Feelings (10/2010)
Why can’t we be together?
To me it seems just right.
I think of you all day,
And I dream of you at night.
You’re everything I need,
And you’re all I want and more.
Baby can’t you see?
You’re the only one that I adore.
You say nothing will change,
But what if I want it to?
What if I want it
To be me and you?
You tell me that you love me,
But say we’re only friends.
Why can’t I ever be
A part of a happy end?
You’ve got to believe me
When I say these words to you:
Darlin’,
I’ll forever and always love you.
I swear I’ll never hurt you,
Or make you want to cry.
I’ll be your shoulder to lean on,
And always be at your side.
You’re the best thing in my life;
This I cannot deny.
If I don’t see your face again,
I would surely die.
To me it seems just right.
I think of you all day,
And I dream of you at night.
You’re everything I need,
And you’re all I want and more.
Baby can’t you see?
You’re the only one that I adore.
You say nothing will change,
But what if I want it to?
What if I want it
To be me and you?
You tell me that you love me,
But say we’re only friends.
Why can’t I ever be
A part of a happy end?
You’ve got to believe me
When I say these words to you:
Darlin’,
I’ll forever and always love you.
I swear I’ll never hurt you,
Or make you want to cry.
I’ll be your shoulder to lean on,
And always be at your side.
You’re the best thing in my life;
This I cannot deny.
If I don’t see your face again,
I would surely die.
No Place Like Home (9/2010)
Home is where the heart is,
That’s what they say.
But you stole my heart,
And I grow more homesick every day.
How can I not be
When I think of you constantly?
In my dreams I see you,
And at least there, you’re with me.
That’s what they say.
But you stole my heart,
And I grow more homesick every day.
How can I not be
When I think of you constantly?
In my dreams I see you,
And at least there, you’re with me.
Never Before (7/2010)
Never in my life, have I laid eyes on
Something so beautiful.
Never before have I felt at my heart,
Such a pull.
Never in my life have I
Seen such grace.
Never before have I even dreamt
Of such an angelic face.
Never in my life have I heard
Such a beautiful voice.
Never before have I given my
Heart away with no choice.
Never in my life have I
Felt this way before.
Never before have I
Needed someone more.
Never in my life have I
Let my heart reach so far.
Never before have I stepped out:
Not since the last scar.
Something so beautiful.
Never before have I felt at my heart,
Such a pull.
Never in my life have I
Seen such grace.
Never before have I even dreamt
Of such an angelic face.
Never in my life have I heard
Such a beautiful voice.
Never before have I given my
Heart away with no choice.
Never in my life have I
Felt this way before.
Never before have I
Needed someone more.
Never in my life have I
Let my heart reach so far.
Never before have I stepped out:
Not since the last scar.
Sick of This (6/2010)
I hate feeling like this
But I can’t help myself.
Everytime I look at you,
My heart screams for help.
I want you to be happy,
Honestly I do.
But how can you be,
When it’s not me and you?
I thought I was over you,
But that’s clearly not the case.
When I close my eyes,
I see only your face.
Why can’t I find it in myself
To put you in the past?
Because a girl like you is impossible to find,
And this ended all too fast.
I’m sick of feeling like this;
Like part of me is dead.
Though I know you don’t feel the same,
I can’t get you out of my head.
But I can’t help myself.
Everytime I look at you,
My heart screams for help.
I want you to be happy,
Honestly I do.
But how can you be,
When it’s not me and you?
I thought I was over you,
But that’s clearly not the case.
When I close my eyes,
I see only your face.
Why can’t I find it in myself
To put you in the past?
Because a girl like you is impossible to find,
And this ended all too fast.
I’m sick of feeling like this;
Like part of me is dead.
Though I know you don’t feel the same,
I can’t get you out of my head.
Desperate Prayer (6/2010)
Dear Lord,
Please give me the strength
To make it through today.
I can’t do it myself;
You’re the only way.
Fill me with compassion,
Fill me with love.
Fill me with all the things
That come only from Above.
Give me patience and strength
To get me up this slope.
I can’t do this alone:
You’re my only hope.
Help me rely on you,
And depend on you more and more.
On my own, it seems like
I’m 1000 miles from shore.
Though at times it seems
An impossible hill to climb,
I know you’re with me
During any troubling time.
Amen.
Please give me the strength
To make it through today.
I can’t do it myself;
You’re the only way.
Fill me with compassion,
Fill me with love.
Fill me with all the things
That come only from Above.
Give me patience and strength
To get me up this slope.
I can’t do this alone:
You’re my only hope.
Help me rely on you,
And depend on you more and more.
On my own, it seems like
I’m 1000 miles from shore.
Though at times it seems
An impossible hill to climb,
I know you’re with me
During any troubling time.
Amen.
Regretting Change (6/2010)
I am forced to pretend
That I'm just your friend,
Like my feelings don't matter:
They have come to an end.
But how can I do that
When you look at me that way?
It seems an impossible task,
To not think of you throughout the day.
You say things won't change,
But maybe I want them to.
I can't hide my feelings:
They exist only for you.
That I'm just your friend,
Like my feelings don't matter:
They have come to an end.
But how can I do that
When you look at me that way?
It seems an impossible task,
To not think of you throughout the day.
You say things won't change,
But maybe I want them to.
I can't hide my feelings:
They exist only for you.
Ends Like This (5/2010)
It always ends like this:
You'd think I would learn.
Now when I think of you,
My heart starts to burn.
When we danced,
I thought we were one.
When others said I'd lose,
Your smile said I'd already won.
They told me it'd end like this:
It was the only way.
But I couldn't control my heart:
I loved you just the same.
Why do I keep doing this,
If it only hurts more and more?
Because it's you that I love,
And it’s you that I adore.
You'd think I would learn.
Now when I think of you,
My heart starts to burn.
When we danced,
I thought we were one.
When others said I'd lose,
Your smile said I'd already won.
They told me it'd end like this:
It was the only way.
But I couldn't control my heart:
I loved you just the same.
Why do I keep doing this,
If it only hurts more and more?
Because it's you that I love,
And it’s you that I adore.
Unconventional Love (5/2010)
I know I'm falling for you
And there's nothing I can do.
Can't keep you out of my mind:
Not sure if I even want to.
It's spiraling out of control
And I can't keep it to myself.
There's nothing I can do:
Nothing seems to help.
It shouldn't happen this fast,
The way I feel for you.
But it seems so natural,
Like it's what I was made to do.
They say it shouldn't happen this fast:
I'm falling too quickly.
They say I shouldn't act this way:
All you'll do is hurt me.
But I can't deny it any longer,
I know how I feel.
Every time you look at me,
It's my heart you steal.
And there's nothing I can do.
Can't keep you out of my mind:
Not sure if I even want to.
It's spiraling out of control
And I can't keep it to myself.
There's nothing I can do:
Nothing seems to help.
It shouldn't happen this fast,
The way I feel for you.
But it seems so natural,
Like it's what I was made to do.
They say it shouldn't happen this fast:
I'm falling too quickly.
They say I shouldn't act this way:
All you'll do is hurt me.
But I can't deny it any longer,
I know how I feel.
Every time you look at me,
It's my heart you steal.
Beach Days (4/2010)
As I lay on the beach
With my feet in the sand,
I dream of what we could be,
If you just give me your hand.
Feeling the sand between my toes,
I can't stop myself from thinking:
If I began to drown,
Would you save me or let me keep sinking?
Listening to music
And playin in the sea,
How could you think
We weren't meant to be?
It's been a great day,
But now it's time for good-bye.
I know this day must end,
But I still ask myself why.
With my feet in the sand,
I dream of what we could be,
If you just give me your hand.
Feeling the sand between my toes,
I can't stop myself from thinking:
If I began to drown,
Would you save me or let me keep sinking?
Listening to music
And playin in the sea,
How could you think
We weren't meant to be?
It's been a great day,
But now it's time for good-bye.
I know this day must end,
But I still ask myself why.
Beach Chairs (4/2010)
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the setting sun,
Holding hands and reminiscing
How it all begun.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the ships out on the sea,
Holding hands and smiling:
Together we're meant to be.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the people walking past:
Holding hands and knowing
That we will always last.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the waves along the shore,
Holding hands we realize
Our love is stronger than before.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the changing tide,
Holding hands with happiness
To be by each others' side.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the sun rise,
Holding hands with tears of joy:
There are no more good-byes.
Watching the setting sun,
Holding hands and reminiscing
How it all begun.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the ships out on the sea,
Holding hands and smiling:
Together we're meant to be.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the people walking past:
Holding hands and knowing
That we will always last.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the waves along the shore,
Holding hands we realize
Our love is stronger than before.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the changing tide,
Holding hands with happiness
To be by each others' side.
Sitting on the beach chairs,
Watching the sun rise,
Holding hands with tears of joy:
There are no more good-byes.
I Know I Can't Have You (11/2009)
Everything was simple,
Everything was fine.
I knew I couldn't have you
And I knew why.
You noticed me drifitng,
You said "please explain".
But I didn't want to lose you,
So I tried to block out the pain.
It's hard to be with you;
It gets harder each day.
When I look into your eyes,
I feel my body floating away.
I miss the way it used to be,
You don't feel the change.
You don't know I really love you:
I'm sure to you it's just a game.
As I close my eyes tonight,
I'll pray as I was taught to do.
I'll pray you realize that
I love you but I can't have you.
Everything was fine.
I knew I couldn't have you
And I knew why.
You noticed me drifitng,
You said "please explain".
But I didn't want to lose you,
So I tried to block out the pain.
It's hard to be with you;
It gets harder each day.
When I look into your eyes,
I feel my body floating away.
I miss the way it used to be,
You don't feel the change.
You don't know I really love you:
I'm sure to you it's just a game.
As I close my eyes tonight,
I'll pray as I was taught to do.
I'll pray you realize that
I love you but I can't have you.
A Love to Call My Own (9/2009)
I knew from the beginning
You were just a flirt.
And yet I fell in love with you,
Knowing I'd be hurt.
I thought I could tie you down
And make you love just one,
But how could I do something
No one else had ever done?
I know you'll never love me
And I'm trying not to cry.
For I must find the strength
To kiss the memories good-bye.
When you ask for me again,
You'll find I won't be there.
I want a love to call my own,
Not one I have to share.
For I must hide my breaking heart
Beneath a smiling face.
And though you think I never cared,
None can ever take your place.
You were just a flirt.
And yet I fell in love with you,
Knowing I'd be hurt.
I thought I could tie you down
And make you love just one,
But how could I do something
No one else had ever done?
I know you'll never love me
And I'm trying not to cry.
For I must find the strength
To kiss the memories good-bye.
When you ask for me again,
You'll find I won't be there.
I want a love to call my own,
Not one I have to share.
For I must hide my breaking heart
Beneath a smiling face.
And though you think I never cared,
None can ever take your place.
How I Feel (7/2009)
It's so hard to not tell you
The way I feel inside:
Every time I'm around you,
It's my heart I must hide.
I keep it to myself,
In fear of what you'll say.
My soul couldn't bear it
If you didn't feel the same.
A tear hits my pillow
Because my heart is in pain.
It is only your love
I truly wish to gain.
Now it's another's
Eyes you look in,
When you smile and tell him
You're going to let his love in.
I tell you I'm happy for you
And put on my best smile.
But all I really want to do
Is go and think for awhile.
Your friendship is undeniably
The most precious thing to me,
But please don't be afraid
Of what we could be.
In time it's possible
I may let all of this go,
The day may cease
When I can finally let you know.
Until then, as always,
I'll still be your friend;
My love for you
Will never end.
The way I feel inside:
Every time I'm around you,
It's my heart I must hide.
I keep it to myself,
In fear of what you'll say.
My soul couldn't bear it
If you didn't feel the same.
A tear hits my pillow
Because my heart is in pain.
It is only your love
I truly wish to gain.
Now it's another's
Eyes you look in,
When you smile and tell him
You're going to let his love in.
I tell you I'm happy for you
And put on my best smile.
But all I really want to do
Is go and think for awhile.
Your friendship is undeniably
The most precious thing to me,
But please don't be afraid
Of what we could be.
In time it's possible
I may let all of this go,
The day may cease
When I can finally let you know.
Until then, as always,
I'll still be your friend;
My love for you
Will never end.
My Vow to You (7/2009)
When you are sad, I'll dry your tears.
When you are scared, I'll comfort your fears.
When you need love, my heart I will share.
When you are sick, for you I will care.
You will feel my love when we are apart,
Knowing that nothing will change my heart.
When you are worried, I will give you hope.
When you are confused, I will help you cope.
When you are lost, and can't see the light,
My love will be a beacon, shining ever so bright.
This is my vow, one I pledge to the end.
For you above all are my very best friend.
These words I have written, speak of my love for you:
From my lips these words spoken shall always ring true.
God has blessed me, and with your hand in mine,
Both of our hearts will forever intertwine.
Into all lives fall pain and sorrows.
But I promise, together, we will meet all tomorrows.
Happy in friendship, honor and love,
Blessed in unity by God above.
When you are scared, I'll comfort your fears.
When you need love, my heart I will share.
When you are sick, for you I will care.
You will feel my love when we are apart,
Knowing that nothing will change my heart.
When you are worried, I will give you hope.
When you are confused, I will help you cope.
When you are lost, and can't see the light,
My love will be a beacon, shining ever so bright.
This is my vow, one I pledge to the end.
For you above all are my very best friend.
These words I have written, speak of my love for you:
From my lips these words spoken shall always ring true.
God has blessed me, and with your hand in mine,
Both of our hearts will forever intertwine.
Into all lives fall pain and sorrows.
But I promise, together, we will meet all tomorrows.
Happy in friendship, honor and love,
Blessed in unity by God above.
Reasons Why (6/2009)
Sometimes at night, when I look to the sky,
I start thinking of you and ask myself, why?
Why do I love you? I think and I smile,
Because I know the list could run on for miles.
The whisper of your voice, the warmth of your touch,
So many little things that make me love you so much.
The way you support me and help me with my emotions,
The way that you care and show such devotion.
The way your eyes shine when you look at me,
Lost with you forever is where I want to be.
The way that I feel when you're by my side,
A sense of completion and overwhelming pride.
The dreams that I dream about you and me,
The possibilities I see and the things we could be.
How you finish the puzzle that lies in my heart,
How that deep in my soul, you're the most important part.
I could go on for days, telling you how I feel,
But all you really need to know is my love for you is real.
I start thinking of you and ask myself, why?
Why do I love you? I think and I smile,
Because I know the list could run on for miles.
The whisper of your voice, the warmth of your touch,
So many little things that make me love you so much.
The way you support me and help me with my emotions,
The way that you care and show such devotion.
The way your eyes shine when you look at me,
Lost with you forever is where I want to be.
The way that I feel when you're by my side,
A sense of completion and overwhelming pride.
The dreams that I dream about you and me,
The possibilities I see and the things we could be.
How you finish the puzzle that lies in my heart,
How that deep in my soul, you're the most important part.
I could go on for days, telling you how I feel,
But all you really need to know is my love for you is real.
A Wish (6/2009)
I lie on the ground
And stare into space.
The stars start to move
Into the shape of your face.
I see you there now,
Looking down at me
With that cute little smile
That I love to see.
You say "close your eyes",
"Tell me what you see".
I see only two people:
Just you and me.
We're walking the shoreline
With our feet getting wet.
The horizon turns pink
As the sun begins to set.
Oh, I wish I could be
In that one special place,
As I lie on the ground
And stare into space...
And stare into space.
The stars start to move
Into the shape of your face.
I see you there now,
Looking down at me
With that cute little smile
That I love to see.
You say "close your eyes",
"Tell me what you see".
I see only two people:
Just you and me.
We're walking the shoreline
With our feet getting wet.
The horizon turns pink
As the sun begins to set.
Oh, I wish I could be
In that one special place,
As I lie on the ground
And stare into space...
Will You Ever? (6/2009)
I don't think you ever will
Ever fully understand
How you've touched my life,
And made me who I am.
I don't think you could ever know
Just how truly special you are,
That even on the darkest nights,
You are my shining star.
I don't think you will ever fully understand
How you've made my dreams come true,
Or how you've opened my heart
To love and the wonders it can do.
You've allowed me to experience
Something very hard to find:
Unconditional love that exists
In my body, soul, and mind.
I don't think you could ever feel
All the love I have to give,
And I'm sure you'll never realize
You've been my will to live.
You are an amazing person
And without you I don't know where I'd be.
Having you in my life
Completes and fulfills every part of me.
Ever fully understand
How you've touched my life,
And made me who I am.
I don't think you could ever know
Just how truly special you are,
That even on the darkest nights,
You are my shining star.
I don't think you will ever fully understand
How you've made my dreams come true,
Or how you've opened my heart
To love and the wonders it can do.
You've allowed me to experience
Something very hard to find:
Unconditional love that exists
In my body, soul, and mind.
I don't think you could ever feel
All the love I have to give,
And I'm sure you'll never realize
You've been my will to live.
You are an amazing person
And without you I don't know where I'd be.
Having you in my life
Completes and fulfills every part of me.
For You are the One (6/2009)
For you I would climb the highest mountain peak,
Swim through the deepest ocean-- your love I do seek.
For you I would cross the rivers most wide,
Walk the hottest desert sand, to have you by my side.
For you are the one who makes me whole--
You've captured my heart and touched my soul.
For you are the one that stepped out of my dreams,
Gave me new hope, and showed me what love means.
For you alone are my reason to live,
For the compassion you show, and the love that you give.
You came into my life and made me complete.
Each time I see you, my heart skips a beat.
For you are the one God sent from above,
The angel I needed, for whom I do love.
Swim through the deepest ocean-- your love I do seek.
For you I would cross the rivers most wide,
Walk the hottest desert sand, to have you by my side.
For you are the one who makes me whole--
You've captured my heart and touched my soul.
For you are the one that stepped out of my dreams,
Gave me new hope, and showed me what love means.
For you alone are my reason to live,
For the compassion you show, and the love that you give.
You came into my life and made me complete.
Each time I see you, my heart skips a beat.
For you are the one God sent from above,
The angel I needed, for whom I do love.
Realization (5/2009)
I thought love was
Just a mirage of the mind:
It's an illusion, it's fake:
It's impossible to find.
But the day I met you,
I began to see
That love is real
And it exists in me.
Just a mirage of the mind:
It's an illusion, it's fake:
It's impossible to find.
But the day I met you,
I began to see
That love is real
And it exists in me.
Love (5/2009)
Love is like a lump of gold:
Hard to get and hard to hold.
Of all the girls I've ever met,
You're the one I can't forget.
I do believe that God above
Created you for me to love.
He chose you from all the rest
Because He knew I would love you best.
Hard to get and hard to hold.
Of all the girls I've ever met,
You're the one I can't forget.
I do believe that God above
Created you for me to love.
He chose you from all the rest
Because He knew I would love you best.
I'll Be There (5/2009)
When you find yourself on your own,
Remember that you are not alone.
And when you're feeling down and blue,
Remember that I'll always love you.
When I am here with you,
Remember that my love is pure and true.
I think about you every night and every day;
When I'm with you I want to stay.
I hope you will remember me,
Because I will remember you for eternity.
I never want to let you go,
Because I love you more than you'll ever know.
If there was anything I could do,
I would do it just to please you.
You know it's well and truly true:
I would do anything for you.
When you're looking at the stars
In the eternal blue,
Remember that each star up there
Is a reason why I love you.
And when you think you're all alone,
And when no one is there at all,
I'll be right there with you,
To catch you when you fall.
Remember that you are not alone.
And when you're feeling down and blue,
Remember that I'll always love you.
When I am here with you,
Remember that my love is pure and true.
I think about you every night and every day;
When I'm with you I want to stay.
I hope you will remember me,
Because I will remember you for eternity.
I never want to let you go,
Because I love you more than you'll ever know.
If there was anything I could do,
I would do it just to please you.
You know it's well and truly true:
I would do anything for you.
When you're looking at the stars
In the eternal blue,
Remember that each star up there
Is a reason why I love you.
And when you think you're all alone,
And when no one is there at all,
I'll be right there with you,
To catch you when you fall.
The Magic of Love (3/2009)
Love is like magic, and always will be.
For love remains one of life’s sweetest mysteries.
Love works in many ways that are magical and strange.
And there is nothing in life that love cannot change.
Love can transform the most common of place
Into beauty and splendor and sweetness and grace.
Love is never selfish; it’s understanding and kind,
Because it sees with its heart and not with its mind.
Love is the answer that everyone seeks;
Love is the language that everyone speaks.
Love cannot be bought: it is priceless and free.
Love is pure magic: it is life’s greatest mystery.
The Beauty of a Woman (1/2009)
The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
Is not a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman
Is reflected in her soul.
It is the care she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman, with every passing year,
Only grows and grows.
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
Is not a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman
Is reflected in her soul.
It is the care she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman, with every passing year,
Only grows and grows.
You Are the One (11/2008)
I try to find the words
To express the feeling in my heart.
I try to show you that I care,
But I don't know where to start.
I guess I'll start right here,
And I guess I'll start right now.
I'll tell you that I love you
And I'll tell you why and how.
You are the one I want to lay next to
When my time has passed.
You are the one I've given myself to
And you will be the last.
You are the one I want for life
Until the day I die.
You are the one God sent for me
To be with, and that's no lie.
You are the one who brightens my day
With your smile bright and glowing.
Your are the one whom I wake up for
Each and every morning.
To express the feeling in my heart.
I try to show you that I care,
But I don't know where to start.
I guess I'll start right here,
And I guess I'll start right now.
I'll tell you that I love you
And I'll tell you why and how.
You are the one I want to lay next to
When my time has passed.
You are the one I've given myself to
And you will be the last.
You are the one I want for life
Until the day I die.
You are the one God sent for me
To be with, and that's no lie.
You are the one who brightens my day
With your smile bright and glowing.
Your are the one whom I wake up for
Each and every morning.
Her Ways (9/2008)
One glance from her eyes, so dark and so brown,
Put him under her spell: his world spun around.
One smile from her lips, his heart skipped a beat.
Her womanly spell knocked him right off his feet.
With just one word, just one look, he flew out of control.
Her magical spell touched the heart of his soul.
Her voice of pure velvet, his thoughts were drifting.
Her magic and laughter, her joy so uplifting.
For her magic, her charms, her feminine ways
Would enchant him, capture him all of his days.
His heart was now hers, his love hers to keep.
For the power of her magic had moved him so deep.
For the love in her eyes sent him out of control,
And her magical spell played the harp of his soul.
Put him under her spell: his world spun around.
One smile from her lips, his heart skipped a beat.
Her womanly spell knocked him right off his feet.
With just one word, just one look, he flew out of control.
Her magical spell touched the heart of his soul.
Her voice of pure velvet, his thoughts were drifting.
Her magic and laughter, her joy so uplifting.
For her magic, her charms, her feminine ways
Would enchant him, capture him all of his days.
His heart was now hers, his love hers to keep.
For the power of her magic had moved him so deep.
For the love in her eyes sent him out of control,
And her magical spell played the harp of his soul.
Untitled (5/2008)
Why would I deserve you,
To even know your name?
You're a class all your own:
You put all others to shame.
For you are the definition of beauty
In both body and mind.
With your soft, gentle face
More beauty I'll never find.
I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so deep and brown.
I love the way you smile:
Like the brightest jewel in the brightest crown.
I think of you each morning,
And all throughout the day.
You hold in your hands a heart
That's never been given away.
To even know your name?
You're a class all your own:
You put all others to shame.
For you are the definition of beauty
In both body and mind.
With your soft, gentle face
More beauty I'll never find.
I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so deep and brown.
I love the way you smile:
Like the brightest jewel in the brightest crown.
I think of you each morning,
And all throughout the day.
You hold in your hands a heart
That's never been given away.
The Walk (5/2008)
It's twenty minutes till ten on a Monday night--
Just got home from a walk and a bite.
I get out of class and you see me and smile,
Glad that I'm here-- it's been awhile.
You come over and hug me: that part is best.
It's warm and pure, so not like the rest.
I can't really explain it, how it makes me feel.
Don't want it to stop-- I know that it's real.
You step back and smile, I take it all in:
The way your hair looks, the sunlight on your skin.
You're beautiful, it's true: I don't tell you enough.
And yet here I write it, jot down all this stuff.
Your smile-- it's slight and off to one side,
Got something to say and nothing to hide.
I want to expand on this, I suppose.
Don't know if I should: I know where it goes.
Tell me what you're thinking, we all say it's true.
But what if we did? Would the mystery fall through?
I know what I'm thinking, I feel and I see.
The touch of your hand still weakens my knee.
Your laugh and your voice, they brighten my day.
Don't let it stop, don't take it away.
I hate when I leave, it hurts in my chest.
Not knowing for sure what is best.
Should I call you or text you, or both?
Don't know what to do-- I can't really boast.
I feel better about me when you are around.
It's true that you helped me, picked me up off the ground.
You're beautiful, I told you; but I wonder sometimes,
Do you believe me or think it's just a line?
I try not to stare, and I know that you catch me,
But I can't help myself: just wondering why you're not with me.
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions on this:
What I feel and you feel could be on two different lists.
You're perfection in smiles, and twinkles in eyes.
Your soft, flowing hair and giggles and sighs.
Rooms do light up when you walk on in:
People take notice of the presence they're in.
I've been told to live each like it's my last,
So that I will do and not be sad.
I smile sometimes and people don't know why--
I'm thinking of you and the light in your eye.
Not sure how to end this, could go on forever it seems.
So I hope you're happy, and always, sweet dreams.
Just got home from a walk and a bite.
I get out of class and you see me and smile,
Glad that I'm here-- it's been awhile.
You come over and hug me: that part is best.
It's warm and pure, so not like the rest.
I can't really explain it, how it makes me feel.
Don't want it to stop-- I know that it's real.
You step back and smile, I take it all in:
The way your hair looks, the sunlight on your skin.
You're beautiful, it's true: I don't tell you enough.
And yet here I write it, jot down all this stuff.
Your smile-- it's slight and off to one side,
Got something to say and nothing to hide.
I want to expand on this, I suppose.
Don't know if I should: I know where it goes.
Tell me what you're thinking, we all say it's true.
But what if we did? Would the mystery fall through?
I know what I'm thinking, I feel and I see.
The touch of your hand still weakens my knee.
Your laugh and your voice, they brighten my day.
Don't let it stop, don't take it away.
I hate when I leave, it hurts in my chest.
Not knowing for sure what is best.
Should I call you or text you, or both?
Don't know what to do-- I can't really boast.
I feel better about me when you are around.
It's true that you helped me, picked me up off the ground.
You're beautiful, I told you; but I wonder sometimes,
Do you believe me or think it's just a line?
I try not to stare, and I know that you catch me,
But I can't help myself: just wondering why you're not with me.
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions on this:
What I feel and you feel could be on two different lists.
You're perfection in smiles, and twinkles in eyes.
Your soft, flowing hair and giggles and sighs.
Rooms do light up when you walk on in:
People take notice of the presence they're in.
I've been told to live each like it's my last,
So that I will do and not be sad.
I smile sometimes and people don't know why--
I'm thinking of you and the light in your eye.
Not sure how to end this, could go on forever it seems.
So I hope you're happy, and always, sweet dreams.
I Try (4/2008)
I try not to sit here and think about you,
But it doesn't seem to work out.
I try not to love you,
But that's the way I feel without a doubt.
I try not to imagine us together,
But I hate to have that in my mind.
Because you're in my heart forever,
And that's hard to find.
But it doesn't seem to work out.
I try not to love you,
But that's the way I feel without a doubt.
I try not to imagine us together,
But I hate to have that in my mind.
Because you're in my heart forever,
And that's hard to find.
Life Without You (4/2008)
Seconds feel like minutes, minutes feel like hours;
Drenched to the bone in emotional showers.
Days into weeks, months into years.
I can get lost and nothing is as it appears.
Any time without you is too long:
Not being by your side just feels wrong.
Trying my best to hold my head up high,
Please excuse me if I don't say good-bye.
Selfishly refusing to live life without you,
I think I've bitten off more than I can chew.
Foolishly false, but my heart remains true.
If I don't have you to think about, what am I to do?
Although at times I don't feel like me,
My love for you is firm like a tree,
Ever-bearing fruit this love has sown,
And the roots of this truth deeply grown.
Drenched to the bone in emotional showers.
Days into weeks, months into years.
I can get lost and nothing is as it appears.
Any time without you is too long:
Not being by your side just feels wrong.
Trying my best to hold my head up high,
Please excuse me if I don't say good-bye.
Selfishly refusing to live life without you,
I think I've bitten off more than I can chew.
Foolishly false, but my heart remains true.
If I don't have you to think about, what am I to do?
Although at times I don't feel like me,
My love for you is firm like a tree,
Ever-bearing fruit this love has sown,
And the roots of this truth deeply grown.
Conflicting Heart (4/2008)
I wanna tell you how I feel,
I thought I was dreaming, but it's for real.
When I say "I love you",
It's meaningful and true.
You got me in the palm of your hand:
If you'll be my girl, I'll be your man.
You're a feeling that I need,
A feeling that I can breathe.
When I need you more and more,
I sometimes wonder if you care at all.
I feel that you're different than before.
Your feelings for me are mistaken, you're unsure.
I don't wanna be the one to change you,
Because you're special, you're something new.
Take me out of all this frustration:
All this thinking leads to more confusion.
I know for a fact I'm falling in love,
But my heart and my head, they push and they shove.
I love you but hate you for making me feel this way.
This feeling no words can express: nothing left to say.
I thought I was dreaming, but it's for real.
When I say "I love you",
It's meaningful and true.
You got me in the palm of your hand:
If you'll be my girl, I'll be your man.
You're a feeling that I need,
A feeling that I can breathe.
When I need you more and more,
I sometimes wonder if you care at all.
I feel that you're different than before.
Your feelings for me are mistaken, you're unsure.
I don't wanna be the one to change you,
Because you're special, you're something new.
Take me out of all this frustration:
All this thinking leads to more confusion.
I know for a fact I'm falling in love,
But my heart and my head, they push and they shove.
I love you but hate you for making me feel this way.
This feeling no words can express: nothing left to say.
Morning Star (4/2008)
The first thing I look for in the morning
Is my morning star.
Although she isn't very close,
She's never very far.
She is warm and bright:
When I see her smile,
I know my day will be alright.
Even when the clouds hide her smile,
I hang in there 'cause I know it's worthwhile.
When I am in need,
In some form she is there:
This shows me just how much
She truly cares.
Whatever you go through,
Or whatever you do,
Just know that
I'm going to be here for you.
Morning star, keep shining long and bright
For I just want to love you with all my might.
Many people wish for things like fancy cars and money,
But I just want my morning star, so keep shining honey.
Is my morning star.
Although she isn't very close,
She's never very far.
She is warm and bright:
When I see her smile,
I know my day will be alright.
Even when the clouds hide her smile,
I hang in there 'cause I know it's worthwhile.
When I am in need,
In some form she is there:
This shows me just how much
She truly cares.
Whatever you go through,
Or whatever you do,
Just know that
I'm going to be here for you.
Morning star, keep shining long and bright
For I just want to love you with all my might.
Many people wish for things like fancy cars and money,
But I just want my morning star, so keep shining honey.
The Remedy (10/2007)
This pain has gotten worse,
Like a hunger that can't be fed.
When you don't know if it's night or day
Because you can't get out of bed.
No aspirin or morphine
Can numb this pain of mine.
No medication of any kind
Can get you off my mind.
When my heart is aching, I feel like breaking
Because nothing seems to do.
Not even a doctor can cure me
When the only remedy is you.
I try to sing
To dry my tears,
But my smile's been lost
For what seems like years.
I need you with me,
I need you here.
I need to hear your voice
Inside my ear.
Only you can cure my pain,
Only you can make it go away.
I know I have to let you be,
But a dose of you is all I need.
Like a hunger that can't be fed.
When you don't know if it's night or day
Because you can't get out of bed.
No aspirin or morphine
Can numb this pain of mine.
No medication of any kind
Can get you off my mind.
When my heart is aching, I feel like breaking
Because nothing seems to do.
Not even a doctor can cure me
When the only remedy is you.
I try to sing
To dry my tears,
But my smile's been lost
For what seems like years.
I need you with me,
I need you here.
I need to hear your voice
Inside my ear.
Only you can cure my pain,
Only you can make it go away.
I know I have to let you be,
But a dose of you is all I need.
Seasons Come and Seasons Go (9/2007)
With spring gone and summer underway,
Now we have a longer day.
No more school and no more worries,
The last bell rings and everyone scurries.
To my house to play some ball,
The shot callers make fools of us all.
Working hard and playing all day,
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Once refreshed and cool,
We'd go for a swim in the local pool.
The sun blazed overhead,
But in the water I did not dread.
Seasons come and seasons go,
Spring brings life and winter brings snow.
But summer is best of all:
Better than spring, winter or fall.
Summer brings warmth and joy
For every girl and every boy.
But summer also brings about great sadness:
We left my old house in a state of madness.
Wrenched from family and friends,
Never to see some again.
To a new house, new town, new friends,
My old life was at an end.
Seasons come and seasons go,
As the flowers bloom and trees grow.
So, take heed: look around,
Don't miss a single sound.
Walk slower as you go through life,
Let nothing bother you:
Not school, nor friends nor strife.
Seasons come and seasons go:
So enjoy your life... and never let go.
Now we have a longer day.
No more school and no more worries,
The last bell rings and everyone scurries.
To my house to play some ball,
The shot callers make fools of us all.
Working hard and playing all day,
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Once refreshed and cool,
We'd go for a swim in the local pool.
The sun blazed overhead,
But in the water I did not dread.
Seasons come and seasons go,
Spring brings life and winter brings snow.
But summer is best of all:
Better than spring, winter or fall.
Summer brings warmth and joy
For every girl and every boy.
But summer also brings about great sadness:
We left my old house in a state of madness.
Wrenched from family and friends,
Never to see some again.
To a new house, new town, new friends,
My old life was at an end.
Seasons come and seasons go,
As the flowers bloom and trees grow.
So, take heed: look around,
Don't miss a single sound.
Walk slower as you go through life,
Let nothing bother you:
Not school, nor friends nor strife.
Seasons come and seasons go:
So enjoy your life... and never let go.
As It Comes to An End (5/2007)
As I sit here in class,
I observe my friends,
And look forward to the year
Coming to an end.
It's gonna be sad
To say good-bye.
I'll miss everyone:
I know I'll cry.
I remember the day
When I came back
To be with all my friends
And get on the right track.
We had so many memories:
Some bad, most great.
I'll always remember the love
And erase the hate.
I don't want to say good-bye
To all my friends.
I don't want this year
To come to an end.
I observe my friends,
And look forward to the year
Coming to an end.
It's gonna be sad
To say good-bye.
I'll miss everyone:
I know I'll cry.
I remember the day
When I came back
To be with all my friends
And get on the right track.
We had so many memories:
Some bad, most great.
I'll always remember the love
And erase the hate.
I don't want to say good-bye
To all my friends.
I don't want this year
To come to an end.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
My Word of the Year
So, I realize this is a little late, but better late than never, right? Every year, I make a New Year's resolution, like so many others. And, like so many others, I fail at them. This year, I decided not to make a resolution.
The past few weeks, and especially this past weekend at the snow trip, I've been told by quite a few poeple about K-LOVE's challenge of picking one word and focusing on that word all year long. Now, these aren't just random people; some are people I've looked up to for awhile and have been making an impact on me for a long time. Others are lifelong friends, and still others are people I just met and have already served as a huge witness and impact to me.
Each of these people have different words, which mean something different to them: faith, hope, dependent, and sovereign ( or soveREIGN). It was really difficult for me to choose only one word, as all of those are incredible and could apply to me. As i thought about it, one word kept popping into mind, and that's the word I chose to focus on all year: unwavering.
When I look back through all the hard times in my life, no matter what I went through, God's always been there for me. Always faithful, ever true, unchanging. Going through those times, I felt alone and that God had abandoned me, but in hindsight I realize I was the one who abandoned Him, He never left my side.
I hear stories all the time of people being persecuted for their faith, yet they didn't back down, they didn't denounce their faith, they did not waver. I've been told by quite a few people that they look up to me like a role model. I'm nowhere near perfect, and I'm sure not unwavering in my faith, and I feel that God's been pushing me to depend on Him more, and not try to do everything on my own, but to rely on Him in everything. In order for me to feel worthy of being a role model, I need to have a more solid foundation in my faith and a more solid relationship with Christ. Sure, I pray every day, or try to, but reading my Bible has never been a frequent thing for me. I realize that if I'm ever to truly become unwavering in my faith, I need to first grow closer with the One I'm trying to represent.
To me, unwavering means several things: to never give up, never back down, never lose faith. Though I am guaranteed to go through tough times and trials, I can't just give up or begin to doubt God or feel like I'm alone. I need to be unwavering through the good and bad. I need to praise Him when times are good, and praise Him when times are bad. I can't pick and choose when I want to thank God. I want to be a representation, a mirror image, of Christ, in all that I do, and to do that I need to be solid in my faith, a rock. When people look at me, I don't want them to see a man with a doubting heart or shaky foundation, I want them to see a true refelction of God, never changing, always solid, never doubting.
For all those reasons and so many more, my word of the year, which I will live by, focus on, and strive to represent, is unwavering. My God is unwavering: He never left my side, even when I turned my back on Him. He is always there for me, He never changes, and that's how I want to be. Never changing, always solid, being that rock that people can depend on and look at and realize that I'm serious about my relationship with Christ. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13, which says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I've always loved this verse, and its' gotten me through so many tough times, and it always calms me down whenever I'm stressed out, and teaches me to not worry about the small stuff, or anything. God's got my back, and there's nothing I can't do with Him in my life, and I need to realize that. Realize that God is unwavering.
The past few weeks, and especially this past weekend at the snow trip, I've been told by quite a few poeple about K-LOVE's challenge of picking one word and focusing on that word all year long. Now, these aren't just random people; some are people I've looked up to for awhile and have been making an impact on me for a long time. Others are lifelong friends, and still others are people I just met and have already served as a huge witness and impact to me.
Each of these people have different words, which mean something different to them: faith, hope, dependent, and sovereign ( or soveREIGN). It was really difficult for me to choose only one word, as all of those are incredible and could apply to me. As i thought about it, one word kept popping into mind, and that's the word I chose to focus on all year: unwavering.
When I look back through all the hard times in my life, no matter what I went through, God's always been there for me. Always faithful, ever true, unchanging. Going through those times, I felt alone and that God had abandoned me, but in hindsight I realize I was the one who abandoned Him, He never left my side.
I hear stories all the time of people being persecuted for their faith, yet they didn't back down, they didn't denounce their faith, they did not waver. I've been told by quite a few people that they look up to me like a role model. I'm nowhere near perfect, and I'm sure not unwavering in my faith, and I feel that God's been pushing me to depend on Him more, and not try to do everything on my own, but to rely on Him in everything. In order for me to feel worthy of being a role model, I need to have a more solid foundation in my faith and a more solid relationship with Christ. Sure, I pray every day, or try to, but reading my Bible has never been a frequent thing for me. I realize that if I'm ever to truly become unwavering in my faith, I need to first grow closer with the One I'm trying to represent.
To me, unwavering means several things: to never give up, never back down, never lose faith. Though I am guaranteed to go through tough times and trials, I can't just give up or begin to doubt God or feel like I'm alone. I need to be unwavering through the good and bad. I need to praise Him when times are good, and praise Him when times are bad. I can't pick and choose when I want to thank God. I want to be a representation, a mirror image, of Christ, in all that I do, and to do that I need to be solid in my faith, a rock. When people look at me, I don't want them to see a man with a doubting heart or shaky foundation, I want them to see a true refelction of God, never changing, always solid, never doubting.
For all those reasons and so many more, my word of the year, which I will live by, focus on, and strive to represent, is unwavering. My God is unwavering: He never left my side, even when I turned my back on Him. He is always there for me, He never changes, and that's how I want to be. Never changing, always solid, being that rock that people can depend on and look at and realize that I'm serious about my relationship with Christ. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13, which says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I've always loved this verse, and its' gotten me through so many tough times, and it always calms me down whenever I'm stressed out, and teaches me to not worry about the small stuff, or anything. God's got my back, and there's nothing I can't do with Him in my life, and I need to realize that. Realize that God is unwavering.
Some Personal Promises
I pledge to never drink and drive. If I do drink, I pledge to call a sober friend, adult, parent, or officer to drive me home. I refuse to be just another statistic. I refuse to throw my life away for one night of partying or a few drinks. I know the price, and it is not worth it. I do not need alcohol to have a good time, and refuse to be known as the person that does. I pledge to never let a friend who has had anything to drink, drive. Life is too short, and a stupid mistake like that is tragic. I refuse to let a friend drive drunk. If they resist, I will take their keys from them and drive them home myself.
I pledge to always stay strong in my faith. If I fall short, I will call a friend or an adult and seek help. My faith is extremely important to me, and I will do everything in my power to keep it that way. I pledge to pray everyday, or at least make an honest attempt to do so. I pledge to be nonjudgemental of people who are different from me or what I'm used to. I pledge to try my best to trust God in everything, and not put the blame on him for my wrong actions, or my tough situations. I pledge to encourage others in their Walk, and be the best mentor/friend I can possibly be. I pledge to give God the glory for my gifts and achievements, and not accept the credit myself. I pledge to always lend an ear to anyone who needs to talk, and will listen and encourage them no matter what.
I pledge to always treat girls with respect. I pledge to always treat them how they deserve to be treated: like daughters of God. I pledge to never go farther than the girl is willing to go, and no further than I feel comfortable going. I refuse to do anything with a girl that may compromise my relationship with God. I pledge to never hurt them physically, and will stop any guy from doing so. I pledge to always be their friend first, before any relationship should start. I pledge to always be the "nice guy" or "the friend", and will stick to my standards. I will stick to the "nice guy" stereotype, and will not change myself just to get a girl's attention. I will not treat girls with disrespect, calling them names or degrading them. I will not be known as a "jerk" among girls. I refuse to be labeled as the stereotype "all guys are the same". I pledge to prove girls wrong in that respect, and represent a Man of God, and what that should look like. I will not lower my standards to anything less than what God has intended for me, just so I can have a girlfriend quicker. I will wait for the right girl to come along, not forcing a relationship just because I want one. I pledge to always be faithful to whoever I'm with, and will always be their shoulder to cry on, their listening ear. I pledge to stick up for girls if I see them in need, or in trouble, whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental needs. I pledge to always view girls as children of God, not objects of lust.
I pledge to always treat my elders with respect. Whether it be teachers, parents, relatives, friends' parents, or any adult, I refuse to be a "problem child". I will treat them with the respect they have earned. I will accept their advice, and value their input. I pledge to ask an adult before I make any major decisions in my life.
I pledge to never again use illegal drugs. I know the consequences of doing so: it ruined my spiritual life, my social life, and nearly my sports career. I refuse to be labeled as a "stoner" or "drunk". I will use my body to glorify God, and drugs are not part of that.
I pledge to use my spiritual gifts to the best of my abilities, in order to most effectively glorify God. I refuse to let my gifts go to waste. I pledge to discover more gifts, and use them in the best way possible. I pledge to use the talents and passions God gave to me to glorify Him. I know anything I am good at (sports, writing, talking, listening, etc.) is because He saw fit to give me those incredible gifts. I refuse to take life for granted. I pledge to value every thing in my life, from friends to the smallest blade of grass. I pledge to give thanks to God for everything I see everywhere I go. I know He created every single thing I see, hear, feel, and smell, and I will give glory where glory is due.
Finally, I pledge to always try my hardest. I refuse to do anything less than perfect. I refuse to give anything less than my 100%. Life is too short to misuse our Gifts, so I pledge to use them with my all. I pledge to always listen to people, no matter what their background, beliefs, ethnicity, religion, or views are. I refuse to reject anybody from my group of friends. I refuse to exclude anyone, and I pledge to include anyone I see alone, to join my group.
These are the most important things in my life, and I pledge to keep all of these things. If ever you see me fail at any of these, please tell me. I am trying my hardest to be an honest man. A reliable man. A hard-working man. A man of God. If you ever see me fall short of any of these things, call me out on them, and I will try my hardest to correct them. Thanks for reading, and keep me accountable!
Your Brother in Christ,
Jonathan Gamble :)
I pledge to always stay strong in my faith. If I fall short, I will call a friend or an adult and seek help. My faith is extremely important to me, and I will do everything in my power to keep it that way. I pledge to pray everyday, or at least make an honest attempt to do so. I pledge to be nonjudgemental of people who are different from me or what I'm used to. I pledge to try my best to trust God in everything, and not put the blame on him for my wrong actions, or my tough situations. I pledge to encourage others in their Walk, and be the best mentor/friend I can possibly be. I pledge to give God the glory for my gifts and achievements, and not accept the credit myself. I pledge to always lend an ear to anyone who needs to talk, and will listen and encourage them no matter what.
I pledge to always treat girls with respect. I pledge to always treat them how they deserve to be treated: like daughters of God. I pledge to never go farther than the girl is willing to go, and no further than I feel comfortable going. I refuse to do anything with a girl that may compromise my relationship with God. I pledge to never hurt them physically, and will stop any guy from doing so. I pledge to always be their friend first, before any relationship should start. I pledge to always be the "nice guy" or "the friend", and will stick to my standards. I will stick to the "nice guy" stereotype, and will not change myself just to get a girl's attention. I will not treat girls with disrespect, calling them names or degrading them. I will not be known as a "jerk" among girls. I refuse to be labeled as the stereotype "all guys are the same". I pledge to prove girls wrong in that respect, and represent a Man of God, and what that should look like. I will not lower my standards to anything less than what God has intended for me, just so I can have a girlfriend quicker. I will wait for the right girl to come along, not forcing a relationship just because I want one. I pledge to always be faithful to whoever I'm with, and will always be their shoulder to cry on, their listening ear. I pledge to stick up for girls if I see them in need, or in trouble, whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental needs. I pledge to always view girls as children of God, not objects of lust.
I pledge to always treat my elders with respect. Whether it be teachers, parents, relatives, friends' parents, or any adult, I refuse to be a "problem child". I will treat them with the respect they have earned. I will accept their advice, and value their input. I pledge to ask an adult before I make any major decisions in my life.
I pledge to never again use illegal drugs. I know the consequences of doing so: it ruined my spiritual life, my social life, and nearly my sports career. I refuse to be labeled as a "stoner" or "drunk". I will use my body to glorify God, and drugs are not part of that.
I pledge to use my spiritual gifts to the best of my abilities, in order to most effectively glorify God. I refuse to let my gifts go to waste. I pledge to discover more gifts, and use them in the best way possible. I pledge to use the talents and passions God gave to me to glorify Him. I know anything I am good at (sports, writing, talking, listening, etc.) is because He saw fit to give me those incredible gifts. I refuse to take life for granted. I pledge to value every thing in my life, from friends to the smallest blade of grass. I pledge to give thanks to God for everything I see everywhere I go. I know He created every single thing I see, hear, feel, and smell, and I will give glory where glory is due.
Finally, I pledge to always try my hardest. I refuse to do anything less than perfect. I refuse to give anything less than my 100%. Life is too short to misuse our Gifts, so I pledge to use them with my all. I pledge to always listen to people, no matter what their background, beliefs, ethnicity, religion, or views are. I refuse to reject anybody from my group of friends. I refuse to exclude anyone, and I pledge to include anyone I see alone, to join my group.
These are the most important things in my life, and I pledge to keep all of these things. If ever you see me fail at any of these, please tell me. I am trying my hardest to be an honest man. A reliable man. A hard-working man. A man of God. If you ever see me fall short of any of these things, call me out on them, and I will try my hardest to correct them. Thanks for reading, and keep me accountable!
Your Brother in Christ,
Jonathan Gamble :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
My Testimony
Hey, everyone. So, this is my testimony of how I came to know Christ. I said it publicly for the first time on February 13, 2010 at the snow trip. It was an amazing experience, because I'd never publicly given my testimony because I was afraid of what people would think of me, and because I was raised to not show pain or emotion, and I knew I'd get emotional if I said it out loud. Here it is again, and I've added some stuff to it, stuff that I didn't have the words to say then, or couldn't say out loud.
First things first, you should know that I was born and raised Catholic. I went from baptism to first communion to confirmation. I went to catechism (youth group for Catholics) every Wednesday, and Mass every Sunday. And although I was the "best" in my class, meaning I had all the right Bible answers, I just never really felt anything. If you don't know much about the Catholic religion, it's basically a lot of rules and restrictions. Rules that seemed impossible for me at the time. And every time I broke a rule, I felt terrible. It felt like I'd let down the people who loved me the most, and that God hated me for being who I was and what I did. I knew there had to be more: there just had to be. There had to be more than the endless cycle of breaking rules and falling into near-depression.
So, this cycle continued until about 7th grade, when my friend Cody Watson invited me to go to a week-long church retreat. All week long, I felt kinda out of place because I was the only one who didn't really know Christ. On the last day, we all got into a circle, and we shut the lights out, and the room was lit only by candlelight. We were each given a paper heart and we were supposed to give it to someone we'd hurt or were mean to during the week. It was really overwhelming to me...just seeing all the forgiveness by everybody: it was a nice change of pace from my Catholic background. All of a sudden I felt something completely new, and I knew that was when the Holy Spirit entered me. As corny as it seems, I literally felt the Spirit wash over me.
From then on, my life was changed. I started attending the local Baptist church, First Baptist Church. My good friend Drew Clary invited me to go, so I started going. It was amazing, just seeing all the love everybody had for each other, and the incredible support. I went there from my 7th grade year up until my freshman year in high school. I went to every youth retreat, went to youth group every Wednesday, and my life was going great.
However, during this time, starting in 7th grade, my father and I started growing further apart. It seemed like he was always working, and when he wasn’t, he’d be too tired to pay any attention to me. Being the youngest child and only son, he had insanely high expectations of me, and he let them be known. My dad was an all-star athlete in high school. Straight A’s, track star, all-league basketball player, and star wide receiver. Needless to say, he had hopes for a college athlete son. From school to friends to sports, he felt that I always had to be the best. If I didn’t get straight A’s, he would get angry with me, and I remember being grounded for two weeks once because I got a “B”. And in sports, it was always “Win! Win! Win!” from football to baseball to wrestling. It got so bad that I felt like I had lost my dad, and got a coach instead. So, I turned to my other friends’ dads to replace my own. However, this too came to an end, when, in November 2005, my friend Jordan’s dad died of a heart attack. He had always been there for me, from sports to life in general, and was always so encouraging. I felt like God had abandoned me, taking away one of the most meaningful people in my life.
All of these things led up to the summer going into my sophomore year of high school. My parents decided to move from Kansas to California. I had lived in Kansas for 12 years, and had known many of my friends since practically diapers. I was devastated: I probably wouldn’t see most of these people for the rest of my life, and it was all because of my parents. I was really depressed when I moved, and I felt like my parents and my God didn’t care about me, and that they were doing this to punish me for something I’d done. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed awake crying, wondering what I’d done to make everybody hate me so much.
Soon, I made friends. Or what I thought were friends. I started playing football for Granada, and I soon fell into the typical party boy life. We would play our games on Friday nights, and nearly every weekend there was a party. I easily, and happily, fell into the drug and alcohol scene. I drank because I was depressed, and I was depressed because I drank. Soon, this vicious cycle consumed me, until all I could think about was my next drink, or my next hit. It wasn’t just alcohol, either. I got involved in marijuana, and it got to the point where I lit up at nearly every party. I started making bad decisions, and stopped talking to my family, and God. Now, I didn’t do the drugs and alcohol just to become popular, although that was a part of it. Most of why I did that stuff was hatred. I hated my parents and God for making me move, I hated them for ripping me away from my friends, my church, my entire life. I rebelled against my parents and God by doing the only thing I knew how: getting into trouble. I would get so drunk at parties that I would start fights with random people, and I didn’t care. I didn’t care that they would go home that night with black eyes or bloody faces. I wasn’t concerned about what their parents would say when they came home, seeing their kid all bloodied. As far as I was concerned, they deserved it. I was so full of hate that I would take my anger towards my parents and God and turn it against other people. Even on the football field, I would take my anger out in horrible ways. I would do cheap shots, cuss other players out on the field, doing whatever necessary to win, and inflict as much bodily harm as possible in the process. I did all this because I felt this was the only way I could be happy again. Needless to say, this didn’t help at all.
I started spiraling into depression, and I felt no one was there to save me, or that anyone was there to even care. I felt my parents had abandoned me when we moved, and that God abandoned me long before then. I didn’t know anyone well enough at church to talk to them, so I turned to my other friends. Of course, these “friends” are the same ones that started me down the path I was on in the first place, so that road led nowhere. I fell even deeper into depression, because although I was at all the “cool kids’ “parties, surrounded by tons of “friends”, I felt alone. Completely, utterly…alone. I felt that nobody was there for me, and that nobody wanted to be there for me. There were many times that I thought for hours about suicide. How could I do it? When should I do it? Who will miss me if I do? Nobody. Nobody would miss me if I killed myself, I thought. My parents sure didn’t care. If they cared, they wouldn’t have ripped me from my friends. If they cared, they wouldn’t expect so much of me. If they cared, they would’ve noticed what I’m going through by now. No, they didn’t care. So, I started writing my good-bye letter. I literally started writing it: telling my parents goodbye. I was on the verge of killing myself night after night. But, for some reason, I couldn’t go through with it. Something was holding me back.
This continued for about six months, until the 2008 snow trip. I had been going to Trinity Baptist Church since July 2007, but I never felt comfortable there. I felt that when I moved from my old church, that no other church would compare, so I didn’t really give anybody much of a chance. At the snow trip, the speaker was talking about how God can be a perfect father, a dad, and not just a Creator or a Rule-maker. It was like God was speaking directly to me. I broke down during the invitation, and I just started crying, and bawling my eyes out. I was so full of hatred towards my parents, especially my dad, but mostly I hated God. But during the invitation, I snapped. I felt so convicted of everything I had done. Every drink I ever drank. Every hit I ever took. Every fight I ever got into. Every injury I had caused in hatred. Every hateful thought toward my parents. Everything.
Our youth pastor at the time, Chris Thielen, saw me crying, and after the message, came over and talked to me for what seemed like hours. He told me that God had forgiven my sins, and that He’d never leave or forsake me. He told me that as long as I believed in Christ, I would have eternal life and that I would never be alone or abandoned again. I guess you could say I had a recommitment that night.
Ever since then, I’ve been heavily involved in church, from doing FAITH to going to every retreat or camp I could go to. I’ve become really close with all the youth at Trinity, and each of them has helped me along with my Walk in Christ, whether they realize it or not. I’ve come a long way in my faith, and I never could have done it without the support of my friends.
When I finally gave them a chance, I realized that these “church kids” were like a big family. Family. That word used to bring up bitter, angry memories. Then I finally understood the true meaning of the word. Family. It’s not about being related or living in the same house, it’s about people who love each other and would do anything for them, would die for them. That’s what family is, not some corny Brady Bunch episode. I realized that these “church kids” were my new family. They supported each other, loved each other, appreciated each other. They didn’t judge each other for their mistakes, but embraced them and loved them for it. They didn’t force each other to be the best at everything, or yell at them when they did something wrong. They were simply…a family. I wanted to be part of that family, and it wasn’t hard when I actually tried to be friends with them. They brought me in with open arms, inviting me places, including me in their time, just being friendly and loving. It was such a drastic change to the life I’d been living, full of material pleasure and shallow relationships. Honestly, it was weird to me: seeing all the love and support; it was something I’d never seen before. These people became my new family, one of love and encouragement, not bitterness and scorn. My new friends literally saved my life, and they didn’t even know it. Every encouraging word, every group night, every conversation I’ve had with them, has brought me closer and closer to God. They not only saved me from the party lifestyle again, they saved me from myself. They saved me from the vicious cycle that had consumed me. They saved me from taking my own life. They saved me when no one else would. They cared when no one else cared. I’ll never be able to have the words to tell them how much they mean to me, or how much I love them. But thank you, everybody, for always being there for me, and accepting me when nobody else would, loving me when no one else would. You’ll never know how much you mean to me.
Since then, my family and I have grown much closer, and we're finally a family. Of course, we still have our problems and differences, but we understand each other. I love my family so much, and I realize now how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family; imperfections, flaws, and all. Now, I can happily say that I have been drug and alcohol free for nearly three years, thanks to my friends, and of course, my God. And although I’m nowhere near perfect in my walk with Christ, I know I can do all things through Him. I’ve come to learn to trust God, because He knows what He’s doing: He’s had this job a long time. So, everybody, stay strong in Him and great things will come from it. I pray that my story will become an encouragement for you, and that God uses my testimony in incredible ways. Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan Gamble (Philippians 4:13)
First things first, you should know that I was born and raised Catholic. I went from baptism to first communion to confirmation. I went to catechism (youth group for Catholics) every Wednesday, and Mass every Sunday. And although I was the "best" in my class, meaning I had all the right Bible answers, I just never really felt anything. If you don't know much about the Catholic religion, it's basically a lot of rules and restrictions. Rules that seemed impossible for me at the time. And every time I broke a rule, I felt terrible. It felt like I'd let down the people who loved me the most, and that God hated me for being who I was and what I did. I knew there had to be more: there just had to be. There had to be more than the endless cycle of breaking rules and falling into near-depression.
So, this cycle continued until about 7th grade, when my friend Cody Watson invited me to go to a week-long church retreat. All week long, I felt kinda out of place because I was the only one who didn't really know Christ. On the last day, we all got into a circle, and we shut the lights out, and the room was lit only by candlelight. We were each given a paper heart and we were supposed to give it to someone we'd hurt or were mean to during the week. It was really overwhelming to me...just seeing all the forgiveness by everybody: it was a nice change of pace from my Catholic background. All of a sudden I felt something completely new, and I knew that was when the Holy Spirit entered me. As corny as it seems, I literally felt the Spirit wash over me.
From then on, my life was changed. I started attending the local Baptist church, First Baptist Church. My good friend Drew Clary invited me to go, so I started going. It was amazing, just seeing all the love everybody had for each other, and the incredible support. I went there from my 7th grade year up until my freshman year in high school. I went to every youth retreat, went to youth group every Wednesday, and my life was going great.
However, during this time, starting in 7th grade, my father and I started growing further apart. It seemed like he was always working, and when he wasn’t, he’d be too tired to pay any attention to me. Being the youngest child and only son, he had insanely high expectations of me, and he let them be known. My dad was an all-star athlete in high school. Straight A’s, track star, all-league basketball player, and star wide receiver. Needless to say, he had hopes for a college athlete son. From school to friends to sports, he felt that I always had to be the best. If I didn’t get straight A’s, he would get angry with me, and I remember being grounded for two weeks once because I got a “B”. And in sports, it was always “Win! Win! Win!” from football to baseball to wrestling. It got so bad that I felt like I had lost my dad, and got a coach instead. So, I turned to my other friends’ dads to replace my own. However, this too came to an end, when, in November 2005, my friend Jordan’s dad died of a heart attack. He had always been there for me, from sports to life in general, and was always so encouraging. I felt like God had abandoned me, taking away one of the most meaningful people in my life.
All of these things led up to the summer going into my sophomore year of high school. My parents decided to move from Kansas to California. I had lived in Kansas for 12 years, and had known many of my friends since practically diapers. I was devastated: I probably wouldn’t see most of these people for the rest of my life, and it was all because of my parents. I was really depressed when I moved, and I felt like my parents and my God didn’t care about me, and that they were doing this to punish me for something I’d done. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed awake crying, wondering what I’d done to make everybody hate me so much.
Soon, I made friends. Or what I thought were friends. I started playing football for Granada, and I soon fell into the typical party boy life. We would play our games on Friday nights, and nearly every weekend there was a party. I easily, and happily, fell into the drug and alcohol scene. I drank because I was depressed, and I was depressed because I drank. Soon, this vicious cycle consumed me, until all I could think about was my next drink, or my next hit. It wasn’t just alcohol, either. I got involved in marijuana, and it got to the point where I lit up at nearly every party. I started making bad decisions, and stopped talking to my family, and God. Now, I didn’t do the drugs and alcohol just to become popular, although that was a part of it. Most of why I did that stuff was hatred. I hated my parents and God for making me move, I hated them for ripping me away from my friends, my church, my entire life. I rebelled against my parents and God by doing the only thing I knew how: getting into trouble. I would get so drunk at parties that I would start fights with random people, and I didn’t care. I didn’t care that they would go home that night with black eyes or bloody faces. I wasn’t concerned about what their parents would say when they came home, seeing their kid all bloodied. As far as I was concerned, they deserved it. I was so full of hate that I would take my anger towards my parents and God and turn it against other people. Even on the football field, I would take my anger out in horrible ways. I would do cheap shots, cuss other players out on the field, doing whatever necessary to win, and inflict as much bodily harm as possible in the process. I did all this because I felt this was the only way I could be happy again. Needless to say, this didn’t help at all.
I started spiraling into depression, and I felt no one was there to save me, or that anyone was there to even care. I felt my parents had abandoned me when we moved, and that God abandoned me long before then. I didn’t know anyone well enough at church to talk to them, so I turned to my other friends. Of course, these “friends” are the same ones that started me down the path I was on in the first place, so that road led nowhere. I fell even deeper into depression, because although I was at all the “cool kids’ “parties, surrounded by tons of “friends”, I felt alone. Completely, utterly…alone. I felt that nobody was there for me, and that nobody wanted to be there for me. There were many times that I thought for hours about suicide. How could I do it? When should I do it? Who will miss me if I do? Nobody. Nobody would miss me if I killed myself, I thought. My parents sure didn’t care. If they cared, they wouldn’t have ripped me from my friends. If they cared, they wouldn’t expect so much of me. If they cared, they would’ve noticed what I’m going through by now. No, they didn’t care. So, I started writing my good-bye letter. I literally started writing it: telling my parents goodbye. I was on the verge of killing myself night after night. But, for some reason, I couldn’t go through with it. Something was holding me back.
This continued for about six months, until the 2008 snow trip. I had been going to Trinity Baptist Church since July 2007, but I never felt comfortable there. I felt that when I moved from my old church, that no other church would compare, so I didn’t really give anybody much of a chance. At the snow trip, the speaker was talking about how God can be a perfect father, a dad, and not just a Creator or a Rule-maker. It was like God was speaking directly to me. I broke down during the invitation, and I just started crying, and bawling my eyes out. I was so full of hatred towards my parents, especially my dad, but mostly I hated God. But during the invitation, I snapped. I felt so convicted of everything I had done. Every drink I ever drank. Every hit I ever took. Every fight I ever got into. Every injury I had caused in hatred. Every hateful thought toward my parents. Everything.
Our youth pastor at the time, Chris Thielen, saw me crying, and after the message, came over and talked to me for what seemed like hours. He told me that God had forgiven my sins, and that He’d never leave or forsake me. He told me that as long as I believed in Christ, I would have eternal life and that I would never be alone or abandoned again. I guess you could say I had a recommitment that night.
Ever since then, I’ve been heavily involved in church, from doing FAITH to going to every retreat or camp I could go to. I’ve become really close with all the youth at Trinity, and each of them has helped me along with my Walk in Christ, whether they realize it or not. I’ve come a long way in my faith, and I never could have done it without the support of my friends.
When I finally gave them a chance, I realized that these “church kids” were like a big family. Family. That word used to bring up bitter, angry memories. Then I finally understood the true meaning of the word. Family. It’s not about being related or living in the same house, it’s about people who love each other and would do anything for them, would die for them. That’s what family is, not some corny Brady Bunch episode. I realized that these “church kids” were my new family. They supported each other, loved each other, appreciated each other. They didn’t judge each other for their mistakes, but embraced them and loved them for it. They didn’t force each other to be the best at everything, or yell at them when they did something wrong. They were simply…a family. I wanted to be part of that family, and it wasn’t hard when I actually tried to be friends with them. They brought me in with open arms, inviting me places, including me in their time, just being friendly and loving. It was such a drastic change to the life I’d been living, full of material pleasure and shallow relationships. Honestly, it was weird to me: seeing all the love and support; it was something I’d never seen before. These people became my new family, one of love and encouragement, not bitterness and scorn. My new friends literally saved my life, and they didn’t even know it. Every encouraging word, every group night, every conversation I’ve had with them, has brought me closer and closer to God. They not only saved me from the party lifestyle again, they saved me from myself. They saved me from the vicious cycle that had consumed me. They saved me from taking my own life. They saved me when no one else would. They cared when no one else cared. I’ll never be able to have the words to tell them how much they mean to me, or how much I love them. But thank you, everybody, for always being there for me, and accepting me when nobody else would, loving me when no one else would. You’ll never know how much you mean to me.
Since then, my family and I have grown much closer, and we're finally a family. Of course, we still have our problems and differences, but we understand each other. I love my family so much, and I realize now how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family; imperfections, flaws, and all. Now, I can happily say that I have been drug and alcohol free for nearly three years, thanks to my friends, and of course, my God. And although I’m nowhere near perfect in my walk with Christ, I know I can do all things through Him. I’ve come to learn to trust God, because He knows what He’s doing: He’s had this job a long time. So, everybody, stay strong in Him and great things will come from it. I pray that my story will become an encouragement for you, and that God uses my testimony in incredible ways. Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan Gamble (Philippians 4:13)
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